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**Golotop** · 06-11-2010, 01:38 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/06/10/...ex.html?hpt=T2

Facing Utah's firing squad, killer supports death penalty

By Ashley Hayes, CNN
June 10, 2010 7:00 p.m. EDT

Ronnie Lee Gardner is scheduled to die by firing squad in Utah on June 18.

Salt Lake City, Utah (CNN) -- Ronnie Lee Gardner, who is set to die next week before Utah's firing squad, said something Thursday he didn't plan to: He supports capital punishment.

But, Gardner told the five-member Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, he thinks the death penalty needs to be "as fair as you can get it."

Testifying at his commutation hearing, Gardner said he accepts responsibility for killing two men and seriously wounding a third. But, he added, executing him on June 18 would not be fair because he's never had the chance to present evidence in court that might have swayed jurors from a death sentence.

Gardner choked up as he said he hasn't been able to apologize to the families of his victims, saying they don't want to hear from him. He did not take that opportunity to apologize to the family members who were in the audience at the hearing.

"It makes me sad," he said, wiping his eyes. "I know killing me is going to hurt them just as bad," he said. "I've been on the other side of the gun. I know."

Now 49, Gardner is scheduled to be executed June 18 by firing squad for the murder of attorney Michael Burdell during an escape attempt at a Salt Lake City courthouse.

06-11-2010, 01:38 AM	#1
Golotop Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 366 Senior Member	Facing Utah's firing squad, killer supports death penalty http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/06/10/...ex.html?hpt=T2 Facing Utah's firing squad, killer supports death penalty By Ashley Hayes, CNN June 10, 2010 7:00 p.m. EDT Ronnie Lee Gardner is scheduled to die by firing squad in Utah on June 18. Salt Lake City, Utah (CNN) -- Ronnie Lee Gardner, who is set to die next week before Utah's firing squad, said something Thursday he didn't plan to: He supports capital punishment. But, Gardner told the five-member Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, he thinks the death penalty needs to be "as fair as you can get it." Testifying at his commutation hearing, Gardner said he accepts responsibility for killing two men and seriously wounding a third. But, he added, executing him on June 18 would not be fair because he's never had the chance to present evidence in court that might have swayed jurors from a death sentence. Gardner choked up as he said he hasn't been able to apologize to the families of his victims, saying they don't want to hear from him. He did not take that opportunity to apologize to the family members who were in the audience at the hearing. "It makes me sad," he said, wiping his eyes. "I know killing me is going to hurt them just as bad," he said. "I've been on the other side of the gun. I know." Now 49, Gardner is scheduled to be executed June 18 by firing squad for the murder of attorney Michael Burdell during an escape attempt at a Salt Lake City courthouse.
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